Diversity is Our Strength!

My constant, almost daily response, when talking with the press and community groups during my lengthy leadership career was to talk about the importance of diversity within the ranks of their city’s police department. It was important for both citizens and our officers to remember that “diversity is our strength.”

It is our strength as a police agency because those with whom we contact have the opportunity to see someone who looks like them. And that is important because it is strong step to building TRUST as we go about learning how to effectively police a growing a free and diverse country which is America.

I was pleased to read this morning from my professional organization’s newsletter from PERF about what Chief Berkaw in Tampa had to say:

Tampa Bay Times: Op-ed by Tampa Police Chief Lee Bercaw: I’m the Tampa police chief, and here’s how we’re recruiting officers who reflect our city

“Ensuring our police department reflects the diversity of our community is key to fostering success and is my primary focus as the chief of police to expand our recruitment efforts at the local level for all positions at the Tampa Police Department. With this goal in mind, our community can also play a vital role in shaping the future of our police department.

“To be clear, a diverse police force is not about optics, it is about effectiveness. Officers who mirror the community may be more likely to quickly connect with residents on a personal level and their shared experiences, and cultural understanding can be another conduit to foster trust. Focusing our recruitment efforts within our own community is the next logical step in strengthening these connections.”

Yes, this is so right, it’s not about optics, it’s about effectiveness.

Now is the right time for police leaders to assure their communities their police reflect the nature and composition of the city in which they are called to serve and protect.

Has your police department signed on to the “30×30 Initiative”? Check it out and take a bold step forward.

Every police agency should set a goal of having 30% women in their ranks and 10-15% persons of color (unless the community served has a great number of residents).